The Copper Pot Cache is a very easy cache but it will transport you to an interesting location in the middle of the South Northamptonshire Countryside.(Note: Please restrict your search to inside the Courtyard between 10am and 5pm Tuesday - Saturday, and between 11am and 4pm Sundays. Thank you.)
The Cache
The cache takes its name from a classic style of distilling pot (which were traditionally made of copper), and the process for making spirits known as “small batch, copper-pot" distilling. There was once a distillery on site which is now located in nearby Towcester. The cache is situated at Wakefield Country Courtyard where there is also a lovely woodland walk, a children’s play area, climbing frame and a picnic area.
The Estate
Wakefield Country Courtyard forms part of the Wakefield Lodge Estate, whish itself is steeped in history. In 1542 a number of Crown estates in the hundred of Cleley and elsewhere in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire were combined by Act of Parliament to become the honor of Grafton, centred on the manor of that name, which became known as Grafton Regis. The honor remained a Crown estate until 1706, when it passed to the 2nd duke of Grafton. The duke was also granted the rangership of Whittlewood Forest by the same tenure, thus acquiring the use of Wakefield Lodge, which he and his descendants made their Northamptonshire seat in preference to Grafton Manor. The present house standing in Wakefield Estate was built in 1740 by the Duke of Grafton to a design by William Kent on the site of an old hunting lodge once used by Oliver Cromwell’s son-in-law. The Victorians added new rooms but these have been removed and the house is now very much as it was. There are 25 rooms and the Parish Boundary runs through the middle of the house. The large gardens were laid out by Capability Brown and the estate contains some old oak trees reputed to be 1000 years old. Until 1788 the Wakefield Lawn Races were held on the estate. Now the estate functions as a mixed farm and quality horses are also bred there. There are several farm workers houses on the estate which covers about 800 hectares.
Other Interesting Facts
Whittlewood Forest which surrounds the estate is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Myth has it that the ancient British Queen of the Iceni tribe, Boudicca, poisoned herself in a copse (now called Lady’s Copse) not far from the courtyard when she realised that she had lost her battle with the Romans. The Grafton Hunt still exists to this day, holding regular hunts in and around the area although no longer chasing foxes. Watling Street, an ancient way and Roman Road (now the A5) runs along the East side of the estate.